Appliance for sealing the feed and discharge openings of rotary containers.



1. L. MALM.

AFELIA-NCE FOR SEALING THE FEED AND DlSCHARGE OPEN iNGs 0F ROTARY CONTAINERS.

' APPLICATION HLED 125.23, x915.

1 $1 4. 89% Patented FebB, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- Q Q TORNEY.

J. L. MALM. APPLIANCE FOR SEALING THE FEED AND DISCHARGE UPEMNGS 0F RHYME! QQQTMNERS.

Pammbed Feb 8,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATKON FILED FEB- 23, 5M6! WIZCNESSES; INVENTOR.

@164 W J. AMALM.

(f I 9 vm U w AT ORNEY.

1. L. MALM. APPLIANCE FOR SEAUNG THE FEED AND DISCHARGE OPENINGS 0F ROTARY CONTMNERS.

I APPLICATWN FILED FE3. 23| I916.

JSatented Feb. 6,1917.

3 3HEETS-3HEET 3 S m w m w INVbNFOR.

J A. MAL/w p '1' b all whom it may concern:

user snares PATENT ornrcn.

JOHN L. MAIJM, DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE MIDWEST METALS COMPANY .55. CtlZRPOR-ATION OF COLORADO.

APPLIANGE FDR SEALING THE FEED AND DISCHARGE OPENINGS 0F ROTARY CQNTAINERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

1,21%,dtltl.

Be it known that 1, JOHN L. MALM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in thecounty of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Appliances for Sealing the Feed and Discharge Openings of Rotary Containers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for sealing the feed and discharge openings of rotary containers used in the treatment of ores and other materials,against the escape of dust and gases into the atmosphere, and its primary object resides in the provision of a contrivance of simple construction which A may be readily applied to a container already in use, without material changes in the construction of thesame and which in operation 'efifectively the openings of the container against the escape of dust and gases into the atmosphere, without interfer ing with the rotary motion of the container orthe continuous passage of material to and from the same,

My invention is particularlyadapted for use in connection with rotary containers employed for the intermixture and reduction of materials in metallurgical and chemical processes, since by' the complete elimination of dust and gases from the atmosphere, it protects the operators against the dangers of inhaling injurious matter.

My invention furthermore efi'ects a saving of valuable dust and gases which, especially.

in the processes of extracting values from metalliferous ores, ordinarily escape into the open when the material under treatment is exposed to the atmosphere.

My invention is also adapted for connection with mills of the type used for grinding animal and vegetable substances to prevent the escape of the fine dust produced by the grinding action.

To the above and other ends which will fully appear in the course of the following description, my invention consists of the features of construction, arrangement ofparts and combination of devices shown in the accom Jan-vin drawin s 1n the various views of which like parts are similarly designated, and in which,

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

Serial No. 79,985. i

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my inventionapphed to a rotary cylindrical container, Fig. 2, a vertical axial. section of; the parts of my invention applied at the discharge end of the apparatus shown in Fig. l, drawn to an enlarged scale, Fig. 3, a sectional elevation of the screw conveyer' partially shown in Fig. 2, and the elevator which codperates therewith for the removal:

of solid matter discharged from the container, Fig. 4, an enlarged section" of the hopper and chute for supplying material at the feed end of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5, a transverse section along the line 5 5, Fig. 1, drawn to an enlarged scale, Fig. 6, a sectional detail View of the female member of the universal joint by whichth'e hood included in my invention, is connected with the container, and Fig. 7, a section taken along the line 77, Fig. 2.

which as\i1sual is rotatably mounted upon roller-bearings 3 through the intermediary of circumferential tread rings 4, and which by means ofcooperative gears 5 and 6 is connected with a conveniently located source of energy for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The cylinder has at its ends central openings for the admission and discharge of the materials used in the practice of the process for which it is employed and it is to these openings that the parts of my invention are appliedto prevent the escape of dust and gases into the atmosphere.

My invention comprises essentially, a hood which is connected with the respective opening of the rotary cylinder. by a universal joint of the ball-andisocket type, and which is movably suspended above a statibuary receptacle with which suitable de BESTAVAILABLE co vices for the removal: of materials discharged from the contair-rer, are operetively connected.

The means employed for the removal of solids from the stationary structure. consists of a screw-conveyor operating in a horizontal conduit, and an elevator which removes the material advanced by the conveyor, without depleting the contents of the conduit, which provide :1 seal to prevent the escape of gases and dust at this point.

The universal joint which connects the hood with the opening of the mill, is sealed by liquid and semi-liquid substances to prevent the passage of gases and dust, and the joint between the hood and the stationary structureof the appliance is produced by a liquid seal which renders it impervious to volatile matter. 4

The pipe used for the supply of gases to the container is fixed on the stationary structure, and a chute through which the material I under treatment is led into the cylinderisattached to the suspended hood at the feed end of the mill.

It will be seen that by virtue of the cooperative association of the parts of my invention hereinabove outlined, the mill is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis and to move by lateral deflection and vibration. Without disturbing the relative positions of the parts which conjoint-1y provide a connection impervious to dust or air and other vapors between the openings at th the cylinder and the devices iv' 1 operation of the mill. supply in to the rotary cylinder and emove ucts discharged from the The hood hereinbcfore referred to, consists of a bottomless metal casing 7 which in one of its sides has an opening for its connection with the feed or discharge opening of the rotary container. The smtionar structure of the appliance above which the hood is suspended consists of an inc-losing wall 8 made of cement or other suitable material, which iscrected upon the foundation of the mill and which provides receptacle for mutter discharged from the rotary 0 Under. The wall has in its upper edge a co; uuous groove 10 which in practice is oiled mth oil or other suitable liquid and intowliicli (lips 21 flange 12 formed around the lower edge of the hood.

The wall 8 has adjacent the bottom of the receptacle :1 laterally extemling opening .13 which connects with a. horizontal conduit i l placed exteriorly of the wall in connection with an upright shaft 15. A screw-conveyor 16 which ciiteuds partially Within the receptacle, is rotatably titted Within the conduit and a bucket chain 17 is mounted, in the shaft to provide 'means for the removal of material advanced by the action of the screw to the. outer end of the conduit. A pipe 18 at opposite hermetically cemented in e bore of the well, or: ends inwardly to point adjacent the opening of the cylindrical container for the supply of used in the process for which the mill is employer.

The universal joint between the hood and the container is composed of a short cylindrical. dues; 19 attached exterior-iv oithe container o lly in alinement -with its axis of rotation and surrounding the opening in its end. The duct circuinforcntielly an annular transversely ercuute enlargement 90 which constitutes the mole or ball-nicinlicr of the universal joiit by which the suspend- 9d hood lie connected with the cylinder.

The female or socket member of the joint coneis's of two :"uular parts 21 and which are interiorly conceived to upon the curved bear'in e of, the enlargement oi the verticalv plane pass g through the center of the The rite of socket-member a e provided with circumferential llill s and are connected by means of bolts zowhich extend through lined openings in said flanges.

' 051M115 coiled around the bolts between the flatn ss, permit of o yielding self-ed 'juetment of the annular parts with relation to each other, and the inner one of acid parts is composed of two sections ci'ninectecl by bolts .25 to permit of its being placed around the curved bearing; surface of the duct.

The female or"- the universal joint is anchored against rotation by rods 26 which connect two of the bolts l'y which the ports of member c;

c conne ed, with l- 1v 5 i s h cncilor'ocits 2i d in. "he in l of the reis rigidly secured. The outer t of the soc-.lrconiember of the joint has a flange for its rigid connection with hood 7 around the opening; in the side thereof. and it has interiorly it spiral groove 28 which by means of a tube 29 is connected with an oil-cup he duct which rojcc=..e intothe hood 2 :up'li the opening in the side thereof. is sun-.1 e flunge 2 which curves downxv 3. from the rte of the hood to within a short distance of the exterior surface of the duct. 'lhe 31 provides it grease pocket which assists in rendering the joint between the hood and the duct. impervious; to dust and and it is partially surrounded by a. emi-annular gutter 32 which receives the drippings overflowing the edge of the pocket. in opening which is normally closed by a plug is provided for the removal of grea from the gutter, Whenever required.

A iveight 3% at the end of a rope or chain tached at the upper end of the hood, serves tion with relation to the duct of the cylindrical container and the liquid seal in the upper, edge of the wall 8.

An incandescent lamp 3? illuminates the hood interiorly and windows 38 placed in its ,front and top permit of observing the operation of the mill without disturbing the parts which constitute the appliance for sealing its openings against the escape of volatile matter into the atmosphere.

At the feed end of the rotary cylinder,

the receptacle above which the hood is suspended has in its side an opening 39 which connects with a chamber 40 in which dust discharged with the vapors through the in-. let opening of the cylinder, collects. The

collecting chamber has adjacent its top an opening 41 which connects with the ingress of an exhaust fan 42, and it is furthermore provided with a series of battles 43 which promote the separation of the dust from the gases drawn from the mill by the action of the fan, by compelling them to fiow along 7 'a circuitous course from the inlet opening to the exhaust opening of the chamber. The

' the mill through a hopper 44; discharging dust settling in the bottom of the chamber is removed by the conveyer 16 which in this instanceis extended to pass. through both the receptacle-9 and the chamber 40 and which exteriorly of the latter, connects with the shaft 15' of the elevator.

Thematerial under treatment is fed into into a chute 45 which is secured to the hood and projects into the duct at the feed end .of the cylinder.

A dust-proof connection between the chute which moves with the hood during vibration or lateral deflection of the cylinder, and the hopper which is fixed upon a suitable support such as a bracket 46 fastened to the wall of the collecting chamber, is established by the use of a sleeve 47 of canvas or other flexible material, which is best shown. in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

To prevent the escape of dust and gases into the atmosphere when the hopper and the chute are empty, damper 48 is fulcrumed as at 49 to normally obstruct the flow of material through the chute. The

damper is held in its closing position by .by the weight of material falling through the hopper into the mouth of the chute.

n the operation of a mill of the chara :trshown in the drawings, to which my "n ention is applied, the material under "eatment is fed into the hopper and passes rbughf the chute past the damper into the charge end of the mill.

admission opening of the cylinder as here inbefore described.

The gases used in the treatment of the I V material enter the mill at the discharge end .of the cylinder, through the conduit 18 and are drawn through the cylinder in a current moving oppositely to the direction 01: the

cylinder exceeds in diameter the admissionopening of the same to establish a flow-line for the continuous movement of material through the container.

The gases by which the material in. the cylinder has been treated, as well as those which are generated in the process, are drawn through the chamber 40 in which the dust held in suspension in the volatile matter, collects, and the product of the process is discharged through the outlet opening of the cylinder into the receptacle at the dis- The solid matter thus discharged at opposite ends of the mill is removed by action of the screw-conveyers and the therewith coeperating bucket elevators whose positions relative to the respective conveyers, assure the continuous presence of quantities of solid material in the conveyer housings to prevent the escape of dust and gases into the surrounding atmosphere.

The universal joint between the hoods and the respective ducts of the cylinder, permit of limited vibratory and deflective movements of the latter without aflecting the proper relative positions of the parts of my invention. The liquid and semi-liquid seals between the members of the universal joints, and the liquid seals at the points of connection of the movable. hoods with the walls oi": the respective receptacles, efi'ectively prevent the escape of gases and fine dust into the atmosphere, and the continuously filled housings of the conveyers prevent the gaseous matter from passing outwardly with the solid products while the latter are being removed from the mill.

It will thus be seen that by the use of.

my invention the escape of dust into the atmosphere is effectively prevented without retarding, interrupting or otherwise hindering the continuous operation of the mill, and I desire it understood. that while I have shown my invention in the best form at present known to me, the construction-and arrangement of its coeperaair- A and s. gins with said on matter from 5 gas-sight joins: between saivl contsincr said appiisncs. 1 1 ysznfi mines nor or disc-inn. Criifiigiii, s. and s pssso said openi contzzin uni s: for His If c.4q24ocka oni-sage of rc'sry con- Lie admission s ionsromting, 11;; a receptacle reccpixscic W ith i '3 on u. with i Wit-ii s l :2 conveyor 2 vin a rotary 1110":ITEQ21$ in said housing to hffle o n said recepiacic oxiorioi icrcoi, and I: norm of; Mini-arm]. convsysd I .1 u. some has between .nc-e, tuiniiar eptscie in 351911211, a screwj n rotary movement in said nmtcrinl from saic recepcneriori thereof, a shaft of sin conveyor, ion the, recomwco siirongii said iis iovci of the uphoirqng co substc conveyor housing is tscie ito 2: connected and an i mom} "'miioiiisi housing at p 1 per portion of r niicrior. The Mini: on

miner in in opening in: the admission or (i 3ii&3 8 or inn tcrini, of applisnco including a, stationary rcospzscic a non-rcta .is'bio hood pr riding passage connecting scici opening nrwi; said receptacle; means for file removal of s: is. nniticr from inc recepizicic curl joints connsciinc said hood. flexibi with s on incr oso wifo ssid'rsceptacio, said i passage oi": w

point at this 'ilhfg' against the ion 'wiiii a rotary con crisi, of an appliance inacie, 1- non-rotng passage coonocting i1 sai i rccspiocie, means for a rosary con- 41 opening for the zniinission BEST AVAILABLE cop ing hood movably suspended from said conjoiner and providing a connecting said opening with said receptacle, means the removal of solid matter from the recepmcle, and gas-tight joints connecting said hood fierizibiv with said. container zinciwith n "solo race; male.

8. The combinstion with a room-y container having an opening for the admission or discharge of material, of an agipiisncc in eluding a stationary receptacle, 2i nonmotaihood movabiy suspendcci from said conA minor and providing a passage connecting i said opening with said receptacle, a count es noise connected with said hood, means .ifor the romovai of solid matterfrom the scooptools, and gas-tight joinis comic-sting ssizi hood flexibly Wish said container and with said receptacle. v

9, The combination wish a rosary conminer having an opening for the admission or discharge of Historic (if on appiifiimc including-a stationary receptacle, non.rotating hood movs'oiy snspz-indcd from said coir miner and providing a passage connccbing' said opening with said rcceptacim moons for the removal of solid nmttor from iizc circle and a, joint between hood and s n1 container, comprising s dizicfi-inoinbsr connecting with said opening and hsvir'gil circuinferential, tmnsvcrscly curvsd surface, and a, ooncsvoci mcznbcr :owsbiy fitted upon said bearing-surface in rigid con nection with the hood.

18. The. combination with iv rotary coo. minerhaving an opening for 6111c admission or discharge of material, 0* an sppiisnco in cluding a stationary roc cscle av non-rota? ing hood movably suspgfiedfrom said. conminer and providing a passage connecting said opening with said recoptscls, means for the removal of solid matter from the recepmole, and a joint between said 110061 and said container, comprising a duct-member connecting with said opening and having a circumferential, transversely corned bearing-surface, an interiorly grooved, concaved member mcvably fitted upon said bearin surface in rigid connection with this; has

groove of sai cbncaved member.

and means fogftho supply of liquid mthe'f, A 135 11. The (:0 lbimlti'onwith w rota'ry"onminer having an opening for thendmission 4 or discharge'of material, of an appliance inciucigng s; stationary receptacle, :1 non-r0- tc zing hood movably suspended fromsaid container and providing a passage connecting said opening with said receptacle, means for the removal. of solid matter from the receptacle, and a joint between said hood and said container, comprising a duct-member connecting with said opening and having a circumferential, transversely curved bearing surface, a concaved member movably fitted upon said bearing-surface in rigid connection with said hood, and an annular grease pocketcovering the joint between said c0ncaved member and the duct.

12. The combination with a rotary container having an opening for the admission or discharge of material, of an appliance including a stationary receptacle, a nonrotating libod movably suspended from said container and providing a passage connect ing said opening with said receptacle, means for the removal of solid matter from the receptacle, and a joint between said hood and said container, comprising a duct-member connecting with. said opening and having a circumferential, transversely curved bearing-surface, a concaved member movably fitted upon said bearing-surface in rigid connection with said hood, an annular grease-pocket covering the joint between said eoncaved member and the duct, and a gutter disposed to receive the overflow of said pocket.

, 13. The combination with a rotary container having an opening for the admission or discharge of material, ofan appliance including a stationary receptacle, a non-rotating'hood movably suspended from said container and providing a passage connecting said opening with said receptacle, means for the removal ofsolid matter from the receptacle, and a joint between said hood and said container, comprising a duct-member connecting with said opening and having a cir cumferential, transversely curved bearing surface, and a concaved member. inovably fitted upon said bearingsurface in rigid connection with the hood and composed oi two resiliently connected sections. a

14. The combination with a rotary container having an opening for the admission or'discha rge of material, of an appliance including a stationary receptacle, a non-rotating hood movably suspended from said container and providing a passage connecting said opening with said receptacle, means for the removal of solid matter from the receptacle, and a jointbetween said hood and said container, comprising a .duct-member connecting with said opening and having a circumferential, transversely curved bearingsurface, and a concaved member movably fitted upon said bearing surface in rigid conneetion with the hood, and anchored against rotation. v

15. The comb nation with a rotary co tainer having an opening for the admission or discharge of material, of an appliance rotating hood providing a passage connecting said opening with said receptacle and having a flange extending loosely into said groove, means for removing solid matter from the receptacle, a liquid in said groove and a flexible joint between the hood and the container.

16. The combination with a rotary con; tainer having an opening for the admission or discharge of material, of an appliance including a stationaryreceptacle, a non-rotating hood providing a passage which connects the opening with said receptacle, a flexible joint between the container and the hood,' means for the removal of matter from the receptacle, and a liquid seal providing' a joint between the receptacle and the hood.

17'. lhe combination with a rotary container having an opening for the admission or discharge of material, of an appliance including stationary receptacle, a non-r0- tating hood providing a passage which connects the opening with said receptacle, gastight joints flexibly connecting the hood with the container and the receptacle, a feed chute connected with said hood for the supply of material to said opening, and means for the supply of material to said chute, exteriorly of the hood.

18. The combination with a rotary container having an opening for the admission or discharge of material, of an appliance including a stationary receptacle, a D011, rotating hood p oviding'a passage which connects theopeiling with saidreceptacle, gas-tight joints flexibly connecting the hood with the containerand the receptacle, a feed chute connected with said hood for the supply of material to said opening, means for the supply of material to said chute, exteriorly of the hood, and a damper normally closing the chute and adapted to be'opened by material passing through the chute. I i

19. The combination with a rotary container having openings at opposite ends'for the admission and discharge of material, of air-tight appliances providing. receptacles and passages which connect said receptacles respectively with said openings, means for the removal of solid matter from said receptacles, and gas-tight joints flexibly connecting said container with said appliances.

20. The combination with a rotary container having openings at opposite ends'for the admission. and discharge of material,-

respecixive ops-Hing, flexibly muses-ting s; appliances. v

521. The canzhinaticn with Ietflcy miner having opening tbs admission and 51' (if airsnd pas J'QR which c "wing rec e mcies 1861) said recs-piacies with saiu czaenings, means 1501' sf solid m tier from sai-fi rel' aspecih cij-r he removal 3 '0 ans for s2:- haus's of gases m #119 ohz-zr zappiizmce, and gastight joints flsxin-iy connecing .mici canfiainez' Wiii: said appiim ss,

Q2. The combins .31 miss c0nminer having openings "11 eppc si'te sh-fisfo's the admission and discharge 0f rgzssrial,

Dpiianz JOHN L. MALM.

Witnesses:

L. RHOADEQ, S. A. Iowans. 

